Microphone coupler for a communication device

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a microphone coupler for a microphone located within a housing of a portable communication device and a device incorporating the coupler. The coupler comprises a body section and a conduit or just a conduit. The body section is shaped to fit around the microphone and is defined by one or more walls and within the walls an interior cavity is defined. One wall has a port in through connecting to the cavity. The cavity can receive at least a portion of the microphone and provides a space between the microphone and the body section. The conduit has an internal channel, a distal end, a proximate end and openings at each end connecting to the channel. For the conduit, the proximate end is connected to the body section and the second opening mates with the port.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a microphone coupler for a voice communicationdevice, in particular a coupler providing an air channel from theexterior of the device to a microphone located within the device.

BACKGROUND

In a voice communication device, a microphone and a speaker must beprovided in order to allow a user to send and receive audio signals withanother compatible device used by another person.

In a typical telephone, a handset is provided which is a shaped formhaving two transducers, e.g. a microphone and a speaker, positioned in awell-spaced relationship. Meanwhile, portable communication devices,such as cellular phones, have smaller and smaller form factors. Locatingtransducers in a cellular phone is a difficult task, because there arespace restrictions on potential locations for the transducers and incertain confined spaces, the location of a transducer, such as amicrophone, must be sufficiently isolated from signal interferencegenerated from other devices within the phone. As such, in someinstances a microphone may need to be placed at a location which is notespecially close to the associated microphone port in the housing of thephone.

There is a need for an arrangement which addresses such difficulties inthe prior art.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a microphone coupler for a microphone located withina housing of a portable communication device is provided. The couplercomprises a body section and a conduit. The body section is shaped tofit around the microphone. It is defined by one or more walls and withinthe walls an interior cavity is defined. One wall has a port in throughconnecting to the internal cavity. The internal cavity is defined toreceive at least a portion of the microphone and to define a spacedrelationship between the microphone and the body section. The conduithas an internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximate end, a firstopening in the distal end connecting to the internal channel and asecond opening in the proximate end connecting to the internal channel.For the conduit, the proximate end is connected to the body section andthe second opening mates with the port. Further, the distal end extendstowards a microphone opening in the housing.

In the microphone, the proximate end of the conduit may mate with a sidewall of the body section.

In the microphone, the conduit and the body section may be formed as asingle piece.

In the microphone, the conduit may have a longitudinal length of between10 mm and 15 mm.

In the microphone, there may be a support member connected to theconduit, which is attachable to a location within the housing to providea brace for conduit.

In the microphone, the coupler is comprised of a plastic material.

In a second aspect, a portable communication device for communicatingsignals in a wireless manner is provided. The device comprises ahousing, a printed circuit board, a microphone located within thehousing on the printed circuit board, an antenna located at least inpart within the housing and a microphone coupler for the microphonelocated within the housing. The coupler comprises a body section shapedto fit around the microphone and a conduit. The body section has a portthrough a wall of the body section and an internal cavity within thebody section. The cavity is shaped to receive at least a portion of themicrophone and to define a spaced relationship between the microphoneand the body section. The conduit has an internal channel therein, adistal end, a proximate end, a first opening in the distal endconnecting to the internal channel and a second opening in the proximateend connecting to the internal channel. In the conduit, the proximateend is connected to the body section and the port mates with the firstopening. Further, the distal end extends towards a microphone opening inthe housing.

In the device, the antenna may be located within the housing in a volumebetween the body section to the microphone.

In the device, the antenna may be located in a bottom portion of thehousing.

In the device, the microphone and coupler may be located on a bottomside of the circuit board.

In the device, the conduit may span the volume and may connect the portwith the microphone opening.

The device may further comprise an RF shield for isolating themicrophone from interference caused from signals associated with theantenna. The RF shield is located between the microphone and thecoupler.

The device may further comprise a support member providing a brace forthe conduit, where the support member is attached to a location withinthe housing at one end and is attached to the conduit at another end.

The device may further comprise a gasket located about the microphoneproviding a channel from the microphone to outside the RF shield.

The device may further comprise a keypad device located on a top side ofthe circuit board.

In another aspect, the coupler comprises only the conduit and is locatedon a top side of the circuit board. Further, the microphone is locatedon the bottom side and is in communication with the coupler through anopening in the circuit board.

In other aspects various combinations of sets and subsets of the aboveaspects are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention will become moreapparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereofand the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only,the principles of the invention. In the drawings, where like elementsfeature like reference numerals (and wherein individual elements bearunique alphabetical suffixes):

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication device having a microphoneand a microphone coupler according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of aspects of the microphonecoupler and its surrounding components of a first implementation of thedevice of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is side cross-section view of the microphone and its surroundingcomponents of the implementation of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of aspects of the microphonecoupler and its surrounding components of a second implementation of thedevice of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is side cross-section view of the microphone and its surroundingcomponents of the implementation of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein,are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, ofparticular embodiments of the principles of the present invention. Theseexamples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and notlimitation, of those principles and of the invention. In thedescription, which follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and the drawings with the same respective referencenumerals.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a handheld mobile communication device10 and its components, including a housing 12, an input device (e.g.keyboard 14A or thumbwheel 14B) and an output device (a display 16),which is preferably a graphic Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), althoughother types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. Typically,housing 12 is a molded polycarbonate structure and may be formed viaknown plastic forming techniques. To assist in assembly of device 10,housing 12 typically comprises two or more pieces which fit together ina fitted arrangement to enclose the internal devices and form anexterior casing for device 10. For example, housing 12 may comprise anupper housing (12A) and a lower housing (12B). Physically for device 10,housing 12 may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes andshapes (including clamshell housing structures).

A processing device (a microprocessor 18) is shown schematically in FIG.1 as coupled between keyboard 14A, thumbwheel 14B, display 16 and aseries of other internal devices to device 10. For the purposes of thedescription, the term keypad and keyboard refers to both the exteriormechanical exposed key elements and the underlying switch and activationelements (e.g. elastomers, domes and contact regions). Themicroprocessor 18 controls the operation of the display 16, as well asthe overall operation of the device 10, in response to actuation of keyson the keyboard 14A or thumbwheel 14B by a user. Exemplarymicroprocessors for microprocessor 18 include Data 950 (trade-mark)series microprocessors and the 6200 series microprocessor, bothavailable from Intel Corporation.

In addition to the microprocessor 18, other internal devices of thedevice 10 are shown schematically in FIG. 1. These devices include: acommunication subsystem 100, a short-range communication subsystem 102,a set of auxiliary I/O devices 106, a serial port 108, a speaker 110 anda microphone 112. Memory for device 10 is provided in flash memory 116and Random Access Memory (RAM) 118. Internal devices are enclosed withinhousing 12 and typically are either mounted onto a printed circuit board(PCB), affixed to an interior part of the housing or suspended by somemeans within housing 12. Microphone coupler 120 provides an acousticchamber connecting microphone 112 from within device 10 to an opening(opening 224, FIG. 2) in the housing, thereby providing an air channelfor microphone 112 to the ambient exterior surroundings of device 10.Aside from designed openings in coupler 120, preferably, coupler 120provides a sealed, or mostly sealed, acoustic chamber.

The device 10 is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communicationdevice having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition,device 10 preferably has the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 18 ispreferably stored in a computer readable medium, such as flash memory116, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as readonly memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, systemsoftware, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 118. Communicationsignals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 118.

Microprocessor 18, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on device 10. A set ofsoftware applications that control basic device operations, such as avoice communication module 130A and a data communication module 130B,may be installed on the device 10 during manufacture or downloadedthereafter. Cell mapping module 130C may also be installed on device 10during manufacture. As well, additional software modules, illustrated asan other software module 130N, which may be, for instance, a personalinformation manager (PIM) application, may be installed duringmanufacture or downloaded thereafter into device 10. PIM application ispreferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mailmessages, calendar events, voice mail messages, appointments, and taskitems. PIM application is also preferably capable of sending andreceiving data items via a wireless network 140.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communication subsystem 100, and possibly throughthe short-range communication subsystem 102. Communication subsystem 100includes receiver 150, transmitter 152 and one or more antennae,illustrated as receive antenna 154 and transmit antenna 156. Inaddition, communication subsystem 100 also includes processing module,such as digital signal processor (DSP) 158 and local oscillators (LOs)160. The specific design and implementation of communication subsystem100 is dependent upon the communication network in which device 10 isintended to operate. For example, communication subsystem 100 of thedevice 10 may be designed to operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark),DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunication networks and also designed to operate with any of avariety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile PhoneService (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code DivisionMultiple Access CDMA, Personal Communication Service (PCS), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Other types of data andvoice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized withdevice 10. It will be appreciated that some signals received andtransmitted through the subsystem 100 may provide interfering signalswith other components in device 10, such as microphone 112.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system which can communicate with device 10. For example,in the Mobitex (trade-mark) and DataTAC (trade-mark) networks, mobiledevices are registered on the network using a unique PersonalIdentification Number (PIN) associated with each device. In GPRSnetworks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber oruser of a device. A GPRS device therefore requires a subscriber identitymodule, commonly referred to as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card,in order to operate on a GPRS network.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, device 10 may send and receive communication signals overcommunication network 140. Signals received from communication network140 by the receive antenna 154 are routed to receiver 150, whichprovides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digitalconversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of received signals allows theDSP 158 to perform more complex communication functions, such as signaldemodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted to network 140 are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded)by DSP 158 and are then provided to transmitter 152 for digital toanalog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification andtransmission to communication network 140 (or networks) via the transmitantenna 156.

In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 158 provides forcontrol of receiver 150 and transmitter 152. For example, gains appliedto communication signals in receiver 150 and transmitter 152 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithmsimplemented in DSP 158.

In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 100and is input to microprocessor 18. The received signal is then furtherprocessed by microprocessor 18 for an output to the display 16, oralternatively to some other auxiliary I/O devices 106. A device user mayalso compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using keyboard(keypad) 14A, thumb-wheel 14B and/or some other auxiliary I/O device106, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch or some other type of inputdevice. The composed data items may then be transmitted overcommunication network 140 via communication subsystem 100.

In a voice communication mode, overall operation of device 10 issubstantially similar to the data communication mode, except thatreceived signals are output to speaker 110, and received audio signalsare provided to microphone 112 for further conversion into an electricalsignal and further processing by device 10. Microphone 112 is preferablya silicon-based transducer which can be mounted to PCB 104 (shown inFIG. 2).

Short-range communication subsystem 102 enables communication betweendevice 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need notnecessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunication subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems anddevices.

Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communicationdevice is power source 170. Preferably, the power source 170 includesone or more batteries. More preferably, the power source 170 is a singlebattery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack. Power switch 172provides a separate on/off switch for device 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, further detail on aspects of housing 12 andinternal devices of device 10. First, PCB 104 provides a substrate formounting and supporting the internal devices on both of its top andbottom sides and provides some electrical circuitry for the devices, asdefined by etchings within the layers of plastic and copper. As such,devices can be more densely packed thereon, thereby reducing the size ofPCB 104. PCB 104 is securely mountable within housing 12, typically viascrews. PCB 104 is a generally planar sandwich of layers of plastic (orFR4) and copper.

Certain physical and operational restrictions may affect the location ofdevices on PCB 104 and to their placement on a particular side thereof.For example, a conventional industrial exterior design of device 10 haskeypads on its top surface, thereby requiring that the electricalcomponents relating to the keypad be placed on the top side of PCB 104.Similarly, microphone 112 can be sensitive to interference signals fromantenna 154 and 156 and display 16. As such, it is preferable to locatemicrophone 112 as far away as possible from such devices. In one designlayout, at least one of antennae 154 and 156 is located on the bottomside of circuit board 104 in the bottom part of device 10. To assist inisolating microphone 112 from interference from such antennae 154 and156, microphone 112 is located in a central region of PCB 104. However,since one or more elements of keypad 14A (e.g. dome and contactelements) is located on the top side of the central region of PCB 104,microphone 112 is located on the bottom side of the central region ofPCB 104. This positioning also provides more efficient use of the totalavailable surface area of PCB 104.

To further assist in shielding microphone 112, radio frequency (RF)shield can 202 is provided to cover microphone 112 on PCB 104. Shieldcan 202 provides a Faraday shield to isolate microphone 112 fromelectromagnetic interference. Such interference may originate fromsignals received and generated by either antenna 154 or 156. Shield can202 has aperture 204 therein to allow audio signals entering opening 224to ultimately enter shield can 202 and be provided to microphone 112.Aperture 204 is covered in part by RF seal 206 which is a shaped, flatpiece, larger than aperture 204. Seal 206 has an aperture 208 locatedtherein. RF seal 206 is located over aperture 204, with aperture 208aligned with aperture 204, thereby defining an opening in RF shield can202. Shield can 202 and RF seal 206 are preferably made of metal and areshaped to completely enclose microphone 112, but for aperture 204, whenmicrophone 112 is mounted onto PCB 104. Shield can 202 is oblong inshape, but any suitable shape may be used. RF seal 206 is fixed toshield can 202 by an appropriate fixative, such as double sided tape,adhesive or weld. Alternate embodiments may dispense with having ashield can.

Gasket 210 is an annular ring and is dimensioned to fit within aperture204 and is comprised of a compressible material and to rest against theacoustic receiving part (e.g. the microphone opening) of microphone 112.Gasket 210 provides an acoustic conduit for audio signals received ataperture 208, allowing such signals to reach microphone 112. In theembodiment, it is compressible by approximately 40%. Seal 206 ispositioned such that its upper end rests against gasket 210 and itslower end extends downward to the top surface of the bottom of shieldcan 206. Other materials may be used if other compressioncharacteristics are required. Alternate embodiments may dispense withhaving a gasket. Aperture 204 is dimensioned to be able to accommodategasket 210 within and still provide an appropriate RF shield formicrophone 112 when seal 206 is in electrical and physical contact withcan 202. It is not necessary that aperture 204 provides a tight fitaround gasket 210.

In the embodiment, microphone 112 and shield can 202 are componentswhich can be surface mounted to PCB 104. However, during an SMTsoldering process, there may be difficulties in simultaneously mountingcan 202 and gasket 210 to PCB 104. As such, shield can 202 is providedwith aperture 204. In a second stage of assembly of components onto PCB104 following the SMT process, gasket 210 is inserted in place and RFseal 206 is placed and fixed over aperture 204.

Microphone coupler 120 is a shaped body which encloses RF shield can 202and provides another acoustic conduit to carry audio signals fromexternal sources around device 10 to aperture 208 (and ultimately again,to microphone 112). Coupler 120 comprises a body section 212 and aconduit 214. Body section 212 is defined by a series of walls and withinthe walls an interior cavity 216 is defined and shaped to provide a snugfit around a part (or even all) of RF shield can 202. Interior cavity216 defines air space 218 immediately below aperture 208 to enable audiosignals to traverse to aperture 208. Conduit 214 is generally anelongated tube having distal end 220, proximal end 222 and openings ateach end. Distal end 220 mates with opening 224 in housing 12. Proximalend and its opening mates with a port in one of the walls of bodysection 212. One purpose of conduit 214 is to provide an acousticchamber to connect microphone 112 to opening 224 to allow microphone 112to receive audio signals arriving at the opening with minimal (ortolerable) loss in the strength of the audio signals. The opening atproximal end 222 connects with interior cavity 218. As such, a continualair channel is provided from outside of the device to opening 224through conduit 214, then through interior cavity 218, then throughapertures 204 and 208 and finally to microphone 112. One embodiment hasconduit 214 having a length of between approximately 10 to 15 mm and thecross-sectional area of the conduit being approximately 4 mm². Othercross sectional dimensions can be approximately 1 mm×3 mm. Other shapesfor the cross section may also be provided. Other longer and shorterlengths and cross-sectional dimensions may be used. In the embodiment,the acoustic chamber defined by conduit 214 passes through a volume ofspace in which one or more of antennae 154 and 156 are located. As such,if an antenna or another device which interferes with the operation ofmicrophone 112 is placed in a volume of space which audio signals mustpass through to reach microphone 112 from opening 224, conduit 214provides at least two functions. First, conduit 214 allows microphone112 to be placed in a spaced relationship to the antenna (or otherdevice) such that the interference caused by the antenna (or otherdevice) is reduced to a tolerable level. Second conduit 214 carries suchaudio signals to microphone 112.

Support 226 is generally a beam and extends upwardly from conduit 214 tocontact PCB 104, thereby providing a brace for conduit 214 to PCB 104.The specific location of support 226 on conduit 214 may be in anysuitable location. Further the specific contact point on PCB 104 mayalso be any suitable location thereon. Further still, the shape anddimensions of support 226 may be almost defined to meet any requirementsor limitations, including structural, spacing, support and materialrequirements. Coupler 120 may be mounted to PCB 104 using a fixative,such as double sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. It will beappreciated that with coupler 120, microphone 112 may be placed in morelocations within device 10 (e.g. more locations which are further awayfrom signal interfering sources, such as antenna 154 and 156 and display16) and while providing a channel to allow audio signals to be carriedfrom microphone opening 224 in housing 12 to the microphone withoutserious degradation in signal strength. In other embodiments, support226 may not be required or other structural supports to other interiorlocations within housing 12 may be provided.

In one embodiment body section 212 and conduit 214 are formed as asingle unit. In other embodiments, conduit 214 is attachable to bodysection 212 through an appropriate means, including a friction fit, afixative (such as tape or glue), a weld, a thread and screw mechanism, a“snap” fit or other connection mechanisms known in the art.

Also, other shapes and dimensions for components of coupler 120 may beused in other embodiments. Still further, coupler 120 may be shaped toprovide a snug fit around shield can 202 thereby reducing the need forfixing coupler 120 to PCB 104. The physical profile of coupler 120 maybe designed such that bends and turns taken by any audio signals passingthrough coupler 120 are not degraded to an extent where the signals arenot strong enough for microphone 112 to operate effectively.

Preferably coupler 120 is made of an elastic, plastic or a flexiblematerial, such as rubber, silicone or urethane. Alternatively, coupler120 may be formed in part or in whole by any one or a combination ofstructures formed in PCB 104, housing 12, upper housing 12A and lowerhousing 12B. Conduit 214 is shaped, sized and angled to mate with anopening (or port) in a wall of coupler 120 which connects to interiorcavity 218. As shown, conduit 214 extends slightly upwardly from thelower region of body section 222 upwardly to opening 224. In otherembodiments, opening 224 may be located on the top, side or bottom ofhousing 12. For example, if opening 224 were located more towards therear of the bottom of housing 12 (as is shown), then conduit 214 extendsdirectly downward from body section 222 to the location of opening 224.

It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the location of thecomponents for the microphone 112 and coupler 120 may be placed on thetop side of PCB 104. Also, depending on the location of antennae 154 and156, the shape of body section 212 and conduit 214 may be designed toaccommodate physical, material and signal isolation requirements to meetthe environment of the locations of the relevant components. Forexample, in another embodiment, shield can 202 and seal 206 may not beused and coupler 120 forms a fit around microphone 112 alone. The fitmay be a tight fit.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 another embodiment is shown. As there aresimilarities between selected components in FIGS. 4 and 5 and componentsin FIGS. 2 and 3, where a like component is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, itsreference numeral is the same as provided in FIGS. 2 and 3, but a (2)suffix is added.

In FIGS. 4 and 5, view 400 provides an exploded view of elements ofanother embodiment. Therein, microphone 112(2) is a “zero height”microphone. An exemplary zero-height microphone is an SMT device and isavailable from Knowles Acoustics of Itasca, Ill., U.S.A. In thisimplementation, microphone 112(2) receives audio signals to microphoneport 402 which is on the surface mount side (i.e. the underside) ofmicrophone 112(2). As such, in order to provide access for audio signalsto reach the acoustic port of microphone 112(2), opening 404 is providedthrough PCB 104(2) provides a channel from the top side to the bottomside of PCB 104(2). Opening 404 is located on PCB 104(2) where theacoustic port 402 of microphone 112(2) will be located when permanentlymounted to PCB 104(2). Opening 404 may be formed as a via opening andmay be lined or not.

To further assist in shielding microphone 112(2), radio frequency (RF)shield can 202(2) is provided to cover microphone 112(2) on PCB 104(2).Shield can 202(2) provides a Faraday shield to isolate microphone 112(2)from electromagnetic interference. Such interference may originate fromsignals received and generated by either antenna 154 or 156. Here,shield can 202(2) is preferably made of metal and is shaped tocompletely enclose microphone 112(2) when microphone 112(2) is mountedonto PCB 104(2). Shield can 202(2) is oblong in shape, but any suitableshape may be used. Alternate embodiments may dispense with having ashield can. In the embodiment, microphone 112(2) and shield can 202(2)are components which can be surface mounted to PCB 104(2).

Coupler 120(2) comprises conduit. 406. Conduit 406 is generally anelongated tube having distal end 408, proximal end 410 and openings ateach end (414 and 412). Distal end 408 mates with opening 224(2) inhousing 12. Proximal end 410 has opening 412 on its bottom side whichmates with opening 404. One purpose of opening 404 is to provide anacoustic chamber to connect microphone 112(2) to opening 412 to allowmicrophone 112(2) to receive audio signals arriving at the opening withminimal (or tolerable) loss in the strength of the audio signals. Assuch, a continual air channel is provided from outside of the device toopening 414, through conduit 406, through opening 412 and opening 404and finally to microphone 112(2). One embodiment has conduit 406 havinga length of between approximately 10 to 15 mm. Its interior crosssection dimensions may be similar to dimensions noted earlier. Otherlonger and shorter lengths may be used. In the embodiment, the acousticchamber defined by conduit 406 passes through a volume of space in whichone or more of antennae 154 and 156 are located. As such, if an antennaor another device which interferes with the operation of microphone112(2) is placed in a volume of space which audio signals must passthrough to reach microphone 112(2) from opening 224(2), conduit 406provides at least two functions. First, conduit 406 allows microphone112(2) to be placed in a spaced relationship to the antenna (or otherdevice) such that the interference caused by the antenna (or otherdevice) is reduced to a tolerable level.

Coupler 120(2) may be mounted to PCB 104(2) using a fixative, such asdouble sided adhesive tape or an adhesive. It will be appreciated thatwith coupler 120(2), microphone 112(2) may be placed in more locationswithin device 10 (e.g. more locations which are further away from signalinterfering sources, such as antenna 154 and 156 and display 16) andwhile providing a channel to allow audio signals to be carried frommicrophone opening 224(2) in housing 12 to the microphone withoutserious degradation in signal strength.

In one embodiment conduit 406 is formed as a single unit. In otherembodiments, conduit 406 may be formed in part or in total by one ormore of housing 12 and PCB 104(2). Conduit 406 is attachable PCB 104(2)through an appropriate means, including a friction fit, a fixative (suchas tape or glue), a weld, a “snap” fit or other connection mechanismsknown in the art.

Also, other shapes and dimensions for coupler 120(2) may be used inother embodiments. Still further, coupler 120(2) may be shaped toprovide a snug fit around other components on its path on PCB 104(2).The physical profile of coupler 120(2) may be designed such that bendsand turns taken by any audio signals passing through coupler 120(2) arenot degraded to an extent where the signals are not strong enough formicrophone 112(2) to operate effectively.

Preferably coupler 120(2) is made of an elastic, plastic or a flexiblematerial, such as rubber, silicone or urethane. Conduit 406 is shaped,sized and angled to mate with an opening 404 (or another port) incircuit board 104(2). In other embodiments, opening 224(2) may belocated on the top, side or bottom of housing 12. For example, ifopening 224(2) were located more towards the rear of the bottom ofhousing 12 (as is shown), then conduit 406 may either extend past PCB104(2) then extend directly to the location of opening 224(2) or throughPCB 104(2) through an appropriate opening and then towards opening224(2).

In other embodiments, depending on the location of port 402, coupler120(2) may be located on a same side of PCB 104(2) as microphone 112(2)(top or bottom). Also, depending on the location of antennae 154 and156, the shape of conduit 406 may be designed to accommodate physical,material and signal isolation requirements to meet the environment ofthe locations of the relevant components. For example, in anotherembodiment, shield can 202(2) may not be used.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the scope of theinvention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.

1. A microphone coupler for a microphone located within a housing of aportable communication device, said coupler comprising: a body sectionshaped to fit around said microphone, said body section having a portthrough a wall of said body section connecting to an internal cavitywithin said body section shaped to receive at least a portion of saidmicrophone and to define a spaced relationship between said microphoneand said body section; and a conduit having an internal channel therein,a distal end, a proximate end, a first opening in said distal endconnecting to said internal channel and a second opening in saidproximate end connecting to said internal channel, wherein for saidconduit, said proximate end is connected to said body section and saidsecond opening mates with said port; and said distal end extends towardsa microphone opening in said housing.
 2. The microphone coupler for amicrophone as claimed in claim 1, wherein said proximate end of saidconduit is mateable with a side wall of said body section.
 3. Themicrophone coupler for a microphone as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidconduit and said body section are formed as a single piece.
 4. Themicrophone coupler for a microphone as claimed in claim 2, wherein saidconduit has a longitudinal length of between 10 mm and 15 mm.
 5. Themicrophone coupler for a microphone as claimed in claim 4, wherein asupport member is connected to said conduit and is attachable to alocation within said housing to provide a brace for conduit.
 6. Themicrophone coupler for a microphone as claimed in claim 5, whereincoupler is comprised of a plastic material.
 7. A portable communicationdevice for communicating signals in a wireless manner, said devicecomprising a housing; a printed circuit board; a microphone locatedwithin said housing on said printed circuit board; an antenna located atleast in part within said housing; a microphone coupler for saidmicrophone located within said housing, said coupler comprising: a bodysection shaped to fit around said microphone, said body section having aport through a wall of said body section and an internal cavity withinsaid body section shaped to receive at least a portion of saidmicrophone and to define a spaced relationship between said microphoneand said body section; and a conduit having an internal channel therein,a distal end, a proximate end, a first opening in said distal endconnecting to said internal channel and a second opening in saidproximate end connecting to said internal channel, wherein saidproximate end is connected to said body section and said second openingmates with said port; and said distal end extends towards a microphoneopening in said housing.
 8. The portable communication device as claimedin claim 7 wherein said antenna is located within said housing in avolume between said body section to said microphone.
 9. The portablecommunication device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said antenna islocated in a bottom portion of said housing.
 10. The portablecommunication device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said microphone andcoupler are located on a bottom side of said circuit board.
 11. Theportable communication device as claimed in claim 10 wherein saidconduit spans said volume, connecting said port with said microphoneopening.
 12. The portable communication device as claimed in claim 11further comprising an RF shield for isolating said microphone frominterference caused from signals associated with said antenna, said RFshield located between said microphone and said coupler.
 13. Theportable communication device as claimed in claim 12 further comprisinga support member providing a brace for said conduit, said support memberattached at one end to a location within said housing and at another endto said conduit.
 14. The portable communication device as claimed inclaim 13 wherein keypad devices are located on a top side of saidcircuit board.
 15. The portable communication device as claimed in claim14 further comprising a gasket located about said microphone providing achannel from said microphone to outside said RF shield.
 16. A portablecommunication device for communicating signals in a wireless manner,said device comprising a housing; a printed circuit board; a microphonelocated within said housing on said printed circuit board, saidmicrophone having a port facing towards said circuit board and alignedwith an opening through said circuit board; an antenna located at leastin part within said housing; a microphone coupler for said microphonelocated within said housing, said coupler comprising: a conduit havingan internal channel therein, a distal end, a proximate end, a firstopening in said distal end connecting to said internal channel and asecond opening in said proximate end connecting to said internalchannel, wherein said proximate end is located about said opening ofsaid circuit board and said second opening is mated to said opening ofsaid circuit board; and said distal end extends towards a microphoneopening in said housing.
 17. The portable communication device asclaimed in claim 16 wherein said antenna is located within said housingin a volume between said body section to said microphone and in a bottomportion of said housing.
 18. The portable communication device asclaimed in claim 17 wherein said microphone is located on a bottom sideof said circuit board; said coupler is located on a top side of saidcircuit board; and said coupler spans said volume, connecting saidopening of said circuit board with said microphone opening.
 19. Theportable communication device as claimed in claim 18 further comprisingan RF shield for isolating said microphone from interference caused fromsignals associated with said antenna.
 20. The portable communicationdevice as claimed in claim 19 wherein keypad devices are located on atop side of said circuit board.